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Two elite welterweight strikers, Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates, meet in the UFC Perth main event.
The octagon returns to Australia for UFC Perth with a sensational main event between two of the best strikers the welterweight division has to offer. On one side, the former welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, will look to rebound from his dominant loss at the hands of Islam Makhachev. Across from him will be Carlos Prates, who is coming off a devastating knockout over Leon Edwards.
With the champion yet to have an opponent announced, the winner of the UFC Perth main event puts their name firmly in the hat.
UFC Perth Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena
All the pressure is on Jack Della Maddalena ahead of the UFC Perth main event. Last time out, he suffered his first loss in nine years, lost his welterweight title and was on the wrong end of one of the most dominant title losses in UFC history. His record dropped to 18-3, and his UFC 322 loss marked the first time that he had been beaten over the distance.
Prior to his first UFC loss, he’d been on a tear. Clocking up a UFC record of 8-0, finishing five opponents. Without doubt, the most impressive win on this record was his title victory over Belal Muhammad. He outpointed the former champion across 25 minutes to surprise many.
The Australian has a striking heavy style, focusing on a low stance, pumping out his jab and punishing opponents with slick combinations and body punches. He wasn’t able to get his game going against Makhachev, but at UFC Perth, he won’t have to battle any takedown attempts.
Carlos Prates
One of the slickest strikers the UFC has seen in years, Carlos Prates always comes to entertain fans, and on every occasion he’s made the UFC walk, he’s done just that. The Brazilian holds a professional record of 23-7, however, it’s worth noting that his UFC record is an impressive 6-1. His only promotional loss came over the distance against Ian Garry in a fight that he took at short notice.
The Fighting Nerds star has a staggering 18 knockouts to his name, finishing all of his UFC wins without the need for the judges. Notable knockouts include his win over Li Jingliang, his spinning elbow knockout over Geoff Neal and, of course, his most recent finish. Taking place on the same card that JDM lost his welterweight title, UFC 322, Prates stole some of the headlines with a brutal, one-punch knockout over former champion Leon Edwards.
The Brit had never been knocked out until he came up against Prates. A single punch, one which took Edwards off his feet, ended that streak and cemented Prates’ place within the title picture. If he can get past JDM in the UFC Perth main event, there’s a good chance he’ll compete for a belt soon.
UFC Perth Odds
Jack Della Maddalena +110
Carlos Prates -120
Pick
Carlos Prates is the favourite for a reason. He’s riding the momentum of multiple wins, has a big height and reach advantage and knows how to use his size well.
Maddalena is certainly durable, so don’t expect another Prates finish in this one. He’ll have the whole of Western Australia behind him and that will play a huge part in this one.
It’s a tough one to call because both men are so talented, but the pick is Jack Della Maddalena to get his hand raised at UFC Perth, albeit via split decision.
